When it comes to recent history, omens are not bright for the Premier League side ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Middlesbrough.

The Eagles currently sit 14th in the Premier League, with their hosts Middlesbrough 3rd in the Championship. However, while they should be strong on paper, recent history doesn’t favour Crystal Palace when it comes to this particular fixture.

The teams have met each other 49 times over the years, with Boro winning 17 and losing 21 games in the process. It is Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson, whose recent record against Boro should be welcoming.

The former England manager has yet to beat Middlesbrough away from home – losing 2 and drawing 1 game in the process.

What’s more, the Premier League side have fared poorly whenever tonight’s referee – Paul Tierney – has officiated their games.

Tierney has officiated four games of Crystal Palace so far in his career, with the Eagles recording a solitary win in a match in which he was refereeing. They have drawn one and lost the other two games in which he was the man in the middle.

Furthermore, Paul Tierney hasn’t exactly been a kind referee when it comes to Crystal Palace either. For, he has award two penalties in four games against the Eagles in which he was the referee.

Tierney has also officiated a match involving Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup before; though the 5-1 hammering Crystal Palace received that day at the hands of Manchester City won’t make them remember it with any fondness.

Another encouraging sign for Boro in the build-up to this game is the form of the Eagles at the Riverside this millennium. Starting 2004, Palace have won just one and lost six games at the home of Boro.